From $16,570 AUD Single $18,560 AUD Twin share $16,570 AUD 30 days Duration Asia and the Orient Destination Level 3 - Moderate to Challenging Activity Journey Through Mongolia and Russia small group tour 08 Jul 19 to 06 Aug 19 Journey Through Mongolia and Russia small group tour This fully escorted journey through Mongolia and Russia small group tours program takes the active senior, with an interest in experiencing something different, into Mongolia and Russia. It includes a journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. This 30 day tour is designed for the mature or senior traveller, whether travelling alone or with company. You will be able to enjoy 11-Jan-2019 1/12
the experience secure in the knowledge that you always have a program leader with you to make sure that all runs smoothly. Itinerary Join the tour in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, and spend the first seven days in Mongolia with a side trip to Russia s Lake Baikal. The tour then traverses the world s largest landmass, the Euro-Asian Continental Plate, taking the traveller from Ulaanbaatar to St Petersburg via some of the world s most remote areas. The small group travels across the Mongolian steppe to the vast expanse of the Siberian taiga and tundra; over the Ural Mountains (the divide between Asia and Europe) to Moscow and the waterways of Russia s mediaeval Golden Ring. Our tour uses two of the great rail journeys of the world. Firstly, the Trans Mongolian and then the Trans Siberian trains. The tour concludes with a cruise on the waterways between Moscow and St Petersburg. Highlights During your time in Ulaanbaatar you will have the chance to experience Mongolia s famous Naadam Festival. This centuries old festival, once used for training warriors, involves competitions in horse riding, archery and Mongolian wrestling. While at Lake Baikal, learn about the world s deepest lake. And experience Siberia s traditions and culture while in Irkutsk. Finally, you enjoy an eleven night cruise between Moscow and St Petersburg. While travelling along the mighty Volga river, wonder at the splendid architecture of 11-Jan-2019 2/12
Russia s Orthodox onion domed churches. This fully escorted tour offers the opportunity to travel with a small group of like-minded adventurers through Mongolia and Russia. For more details, click the Top 5 or Itinerary buttons above! If you re keen to experience this tour, please call or send an email. Or, to book, simply fill in the form on the right hand side of this page. Tour Notes Singles are NOT available during our nights in Mongolian yurts/gers or onboard any of the rail journeys Singles are available in hotels in Ulann Baatar, Irkutsk/Lake Baikal, Moscow and on the Russian cruise only Meals are not provided on the Trans-Mongolian Train but chance is given in Ulaan Baator to purchase suitable provisions Meals are not included on the Trans-Siberian Train but can be purchased on board the train Travellers should note that facilities on these public trains may be of a basic standard Group size is limited to a maximum of 15 participants. The itinerary for 2019 is subject to be reviewed and amended once the current tour is completed and dates for the cruise as well as trains have been released. Top 5 1. Travel on The Mongolian Express and The Trans-Siberian Express. 2. Cruise the waterways of the Tsars between Moscow and St Petersburg to see the quintessential towns and villages of Russia s Golden Ring. 11-Jan-2019 3/12
3. Experience Mongolia s Naadam festival in the capital Ulaan Baatar and its countryside in traditional gers. 4. Learn about Lake Baikal, the world s deepest lake and experience the traditions and culture of Siberia in Irkutsk. 5. Visit Moscow and St Petersburg, including the Hermitage Museum. Itinerary Day 1 Locations: Ulaan Baatar Overview: Arrive in Ulaan Baatar and make your own way to the accommodation. Welcome dinner tonight will be at a local restaurant. Ulaan Baatar is the world's coldest capital situated in a basin surrounded by four mountains on the southernmost border of the great Siberian taiga and steppe. When Mongolia achieved independence from China in 1911, the city had become an important trading centre on the route between China and Russia, populated by Chinese, Russians and Mongolians. In Ulaan Baatar we are introduced to Mongolia and will observe the Mongolian people during the colourful Naadam festival. We visit the nearby Temple Ger Camp in the beautiful valley of Ar Bulagtai, some 60km to the east of Ulaan Baatar where we stay in traditional gers. We will learn about the nomadic lifestyle of a 13th century Mongolian at the Chinggis Khaan Statue complex. (D) Accommodation: 3 nights at Ulaan Baatar Hotel or similar Day 2 Locations: Ulaan Baatar Overview: In the morning we'll visit the traditional Buddhist Gandan 11-Jan-2019 4/12
Monastery. The Mongolians are active followers of the Buddhist faith; one of the three incarnations of the living "Buddah" or "Dalai Lama" resided in Ulaan Baatar. Our sightseeing continues with a visit the Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs where we get a chance to see some of the best dinosaur fossil collections in the world. The museum is housed inside the former Lenin Museum. It was constructed in 1974, with plans to be expanded. After lunch we visit Winter Palace, residence of Mongolia s eighth re-incarnation of the Living Buddha and last king. (B,L,D) Accommodation: Ulaan Baatar Hotel or similar Day 3 Locations: Ulaan Baatar - Naadam Festival Overview: After an introductory talk by a local guide, today is all about Mongolia's Naadam Festival. Our full day's worth of experiences includes the festival's opening ceremonies, held in the main square. At the city s central stadium we view dressage and traditional Mongolian wrestling and archery. (B,L,D) Accommodation: Hotel Ulaanbaatar or similar Day 4 Locations: Ulan Baatar - Hustai Overview: Today we enjoy a second day of games for the Nadaam Festival. Later in the afternoon, we drive to a Wild Horse Reserve Centre in the Hustai National Park, where we will spend the night. The park is home to the last remaining species of wild horse, the Takhi, commonly known as the Przewalski s Horse. We'll learn about the current conservation efforts and the status of herds found within the park. Our accommodation tonight will be here, in the National 11-Jan-2019 5/12
Park in traditional ger style. Dinner will be served at our camp, under the stars. (B,L,D) Accommodation: Ger Camp Note: no single accommodation is available at Ger camps Day 5 Locations: Hustai National Park - Gun Galuut Nature Reserve Overview: Today we further explore the park by visiting some ancient stone monuments of Ongot and local herder families for a nomadic lifestyle experience. We then drive east past Ulaan Baatar to Gun Galuut reserve, located approx 120 km from of the capital city. On the way we stop at the biggest equestrian statue to Chinggis Khaan and visit the 13th century village. We enjoy dinner and sleep overnight at the Gun Galuut ger camp. This will be home for a total of two nights. (B,L,D) Accommodation: 2 nights at Gun Galuut ger camp Note: no single accommodation is available at Ger camps. Day 6 Locations: Gun Galuut Nature Reserve Overview: We have a full day to explore the park, where some 200 big horn argali sheep find refuge. The park is also home to many rare birds including the White Naped and Siberian Cranes. Today we will also visit a local herder family. (B,L,D) Accommodation: Gun Galuut ger camp 11-Jan-2019 6/12
Day 7 Locations: Ulaan Baatar Overview: After breakfast we transfer back to Ulaan Baatar. After lunch at a local restaurant, we'll visit the Fine Arts Museum. In the evening we are treated to a concert of Mongolian Music and Dance, which includes a performance of the haunting Mongolian throat singing followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant. (B,L,D) Accommodation: 1 night at Hotel Ulaanbaatar, or similar Day 8 Locations: Trans Mongolian train to Irkutsk Overview: The morning is free to explore the city on your own and then we get together for lunch. As there's limited catering on the train, we plan a quick stop to shop for supplies before the next phase of our journey: this afternoon we board the Trans Mongolian train bound for Irkutsk, Russia. The train crosses the extensive Mongolian countryside. Pending local timetables, the proposed train is scheduled to depart at 3:22 pm. (B,L) Accommodation: 1 night on board Trans Mongolian Express train in 4 berth compartments with exclusive use for 2 or 3 people (depending on group's final numbers) Single compartments are not available on train journeys and participants will be required to share 4 berth cabins with other participants of either sex. Day 9 Locations: Irkutsk Overview: Irkutsk is now the regional and administrative capital of Siberia. It came to prominence in 1651 as a Cossack garrison and 11-Jan-2019 7/12
come the 18th century, was an important trade centre for furs and ivory. Later it became the administrative, industrial and scientific centre during the Soviet era. With the coming of the railway in 1898, Irkutsk was linked with the rest of Russia and became an important strategic outpost. It is an ideal base to explore the world s deepest Lake, Baikal. We arrive in Irkutsk at 9:30 am and commence with a city orientation tour and a visit to the Decembrist Museum. Lunch will be at a local restaurant, and dinner at our hotel. (L,D) Accommodation: 3 nights at Ibis Irkutsk or similar Day 10 Locations: Irkutsk - Lake Baikal Overview: After breakfast we travel southeast to visit Talsty Museum of Architecture and Ethnography. We then continue to the town of Listvyanka, on the shores of of Lake Baikal, for lunch. We also visit Baikal Lake Museum and panoramic platform on top of the "Stone Tcherskogo" mountain. We head to the pier, to enjoy a boat ride on Lake Baikal, the world s deepest lake. We return to Irkutsk and dinner this evening will be at a local restaurant. (B,L,D) Accommodation: Ibis Irkutsk or similar Day 11 Locations: Irkutsk Overview: Free morning in Irkutsk. Afternoon activity TBC. Dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D) Accommodation: Ibis Irkutsk or similar 11-Jan-2019 8/12
Day 12-13 - 14-15 Locations: Irkutsk - Moscow Overview: In the morning we'll visit Ust Orda settlement and the Ethnography Museum "Gold Orda", we'll learn about the traditions and culture of the Buryats. In the afternoon we return to Irkutsk and enjoy an early dinner at a local café before going to the Rail station. This evening we board the Trans-Siberian train for our epic rail journey through the Siberian forests and across the rural mountains to Moscow. Meals and snacks on board of the train can be purchased at the dining/restaurant car or at some of the stations where the train stops along the journey. Accommodation: 3 nights on board Train to Moscow in 4 berth compartments with exclusive use for 2 or 3 people (depending on group's final numbers) Single compartments are not available on train journeys and participants will be required to share 4 berth cabins with other participant of either sex. Day 16-17-18-19-20-21-22-23-24-25-26 Locations: Moscow - St Petersburg: Russian Golden Ring Cruise Overview: We arrive early in the morning (around 4:45 am) and transfer to a hotel for some rest and to freshen up before our half day tour of Moscow. In the afternoon we transfer to the port to board our cruise. Moscow regarded as Europe's most "eastern" capital boasting Saint Basil's Cathedral, Red Square and the mysterious Kremlin. It contains some of Russia s most outstanding architectural monuments from the fifteenth to seventeenth centuries, as well as great constructions from the Stalinist period including one of Europe s most outstanding metro systems. The first 3 nights the boat will be moored in port in Moscow and then sail to Uglish, Yaroslavi, 11-Jan-2019 9/12
Goritzy, Khizi Island, Mandrogi-Ladoga and finish with 3 nights moored in St Petersburg. We will visit the heritage mediaeval cities of the Golden Ring including Uglich, Kizhi, Yaroslavl and Goritsy. The history, heritage and culture of Russia are epitomised in the glorious, quintessential Russian cities and countryside visited during our Golden Ring cruise. In St Petersburg, one of the grandest cities in the world. We experience Palace Square, the Nevski Prospect, St Isaak's Cathedral, the imposing Peter and Paul Fortress and the Hermitage Museum. The cruise is full-board - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are served on board. Accommodation: 11 nights on board of MS Chernychevsky or similar (single or twin share cabins available) Day 27-28-29 Locations: St Petersburg Overview: Today we have a tour to Peterhof lower park after which your time is free. There is an opportunity to take an optional excursion on the canals of St Petersburg (part of the cruise shore offering). We then transfer to our hotel in St Petersburg for our final days of free time in St Petersburg, which can be planned at your own choice. Some of you might want to re-visit the Hermitage Museum at your own pace, or perhaps spend some time exploring the beautiful gardens around St Petersburg. There are many other landmarks, museums and tours that Odyssey or the program leader will be able to plan for you, for these final days in St Petersburg either with the group, or by yourself. (B) daily and (D) on evening of Day 29 Accommodation: 3 nights at Hotel Moscow or similar 11-Jan-2019 10/12
Day 30 Locations: St Petersburg Overview: Tour concludes in St Petersburg hotel after breakfast. (B) Accommodation: Inclusions / Exclusions What's included in our Tour 10 nights hotel accommodation. 3 nights in traditional Mongolian gers (felt tents) - twin share. 1 nights aboard the Trans Mongolian from Ulaan Bator to Irkutsk in 4 berth compartments, with exclusive use for 2 people or 3 people (depending on final group size). 3 nights travel aboard the Trans Siberian in 4 berth compartments, with exclusive use for 2 or 3 people (depending on final group size). 11 nights accommodation onboard river cruise vessel in en-suited twin share cabins (singles available). 25 breakfasts, 20 lunches and 23 dinners. Transport and field trips as indicated. Applicable entry fees and services of local guides. Gratuities and necessary tips. Invitation letter for Russian Visa. Services of an Odyssey program leader. Detailed Tour Information Booklet. What's not included in our Tour International airfares and departure taxes Comprehensive Travel Insurance. Cost for Mongolian & Russian Visas. Odyssey will assist in obtaining the invitation letters for both visas. Meals not specified in the itinerary. 11-Jan-2019 11/12
Items of a personal nature, such as telephone calls and laundry. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any requests for further information about this tour or any others offered by Odyssey Travel. 11-Jan-2019 12/12